Malden, Legion host solemn Memorial Day Observance

Dedication of the Kenneth V. Desmond City Hall Roof Deck Garden

The City of Malden will hold a dedication event formally naming the City Hall Roof Deck at 215 Pleasant St. in honor of Kenneth V. Desmond. The public is invited to celebrate the event on Thursday, June 9 from 3:30-5 p.m. The City will validate parking at the Jackson Street Garage for attendees.

In 1967, Ken Desmond was the first Black person to be elected to the Malden School Committee. His strongly held belief that a quality education could open doors of opportunity and enable people from all walks of life to achieve career and economic success led to his being elected Chair of the Committee. Ken also built an impressive career beginning at the New England Telephone Company, and he actively participated in the Bell System Divestiture that established Nynex, later to become Verizon. While at AT&T he helped found the industry-leading Minority Management Association that opened doors and helped elevate countless people of color into leadership positions in the telecommunications and cable industry.

Ken passed away in 2017, leaving behind his beloved wife of 56 years, Marion, and his two children, Pamela Y. Desmond and the Honorable Kenneth V. Desmond, Jr.